Suction tube filling end trap for looms



Jan. 9, 1962 c. N. cou-:Y 3,016,069

sucTIoN TUBE FILLING END TRAP PoR Looms Filed April 8. 1958 FIGA Clarence N. Coley ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,016,069 SUC'IION TUBE FHJLlNG END TRAP FR LOOMS Clarence N. Coley, Star Rte., Kernersvlile, N C.

` Filed Apr. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 727,110

11 Claims. (Cl. 139-256) The present invention relates to weft thread removing devices for automatic looms and relates more particularly to pneumatic weft thread extractors having auxiliary operable means -for entrapment of the `filling end that is left remaining by an ejected bobbin at the time of bobbin transfer.

Although pneumatic lling end removal or thread extractor devices have been employed in weft replenishing looms and `are well known in the art, as exemplified particularly by U.S. Patent Nos.: 2,194,531; 2,219,760; 2,336,320; 2,400,963; and 2,482,691, among many others, the attention for improvement in this particular held has been directed to modifying the suction nozzle or the configuration of the nozzle at the position of iilling end contact to facilitate the pick-up of the filling end left by the ejected or expended bobbin. Accidental clogging of an accumulator in the vacuum system or failure of the vacuum system to function properly or lack of adjustment to the linkages which operate the pneumatic nozzle will prevent the extractor from functioning properly to remove the -iilling end out of the path of travel of the shuttle. Furthermore, particularly with sleazy threads of nylon and the like, as well as coarse threads used particularly for upholsten'ng fabrics, the suction effect may be inadequate to withdraw the thread ends from the nozzle once collected thereat. In some instances where nylon thread is being woven into fabric, there is an increased tendency for the thread to adhere or cling to the surrounding surfaces due to the ainity of nylon for dielectric materials thereby making the suction inadequate to retain and draw the thread out of the way of the shuttle. Y

Therefore, it is within the contemplation of this invention to provide a combination pneumatic and mechanical thread extractor for positively removing lling ends out of the path ofA travel of the shuttle in order to eliminate lilling ends from being accidentally Woven into the fabric.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic iilling end removal apparatus having in juxtaposition Vto the intake end of a nozzle a sequentially operated means yfor entrapping a weft end and retaining the end for one or more sequences of weft end removals.

.Still another objective of this invention is the provision of a pneumatic weft end extractor and a trap wherein upon failure of an induced air current to withdraw a weft end from the path of travel of the shuttle means is provided to elevate and retain the weft end.

VYet a further objective of this invention is to provide a weft end extractor in which the extractor in the elevated closedextractor condition will retain a thread end removed from the path of travel of the shuttle to eliminate being woven into a fabric.

A further objective of this invention is yto provide a plunger mechanism for use in conjunction with the pneumatic thread extractor in which a weft end initially introduced into the nozzle of the extractor will be trapped therein despite failure of the suction system to remove the thread completely after severance.

This invention broadly contemplates that during the time that the shuttle in an automatic loom is in the drive end box and the transfer hammer is pressing a full bobbin into place in the shuttle, the filling end remover having a suction nozzle and trap will dip down from an inoperative position to pick-up a thread from an expended bobbin. This thread, when suction is available, will be held by suction in an extractor, until severed of after severance by the selvage thread cutter. Although suction may be available an auxiliary mechanical means is provided to retain the thread end which will be severed and will ultimately either be drawn into the pneumatic nozzle orice by induced air currents or be retained by means of the auxiliary mechanical means for subsequent removal by an operator.

Other objectives and many of the attendant `advantages of this invention relating to a I'thread extractor for looms will becomel more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the forward section only of one end of a lay illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention mounted on a loom;

PEG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the pneumatic extractor assemblage and mounting with the unit being illustrated in the upward or closed position;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the pneumatic weft thread extractor in the lowered position for a filling end pick-up;

FiG. 4 is an end elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, with the extractor mechanism in the elevated position relative to the lay plush, with the weft trap in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial transverse sectional view taken substantially along the vplane of section line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial end elevational view of the reverse side of the suction tube mounting bracket from the weft plunger device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to FIG. l there is shown therein a loom frame 10 on which is supported a bracket 11 for retaining a conventional bobbin magazine (not shown) that may Ibe pivoted to introduce a full bobbin into position. A transferer arm 13, only a portion of which is shown, is pivotally mounted on the stud i4 as in a Crompton and Knowles loom S-6. The loom lay 16 will -reciprocate backwardly and Iforwardly in a conventional manner through known means with the loom having a shuttle box 17 vat one end of the lay to receive the shuttle 18 on alternate flights. A bobbin 19 is releasably contained Within the shuttle 18 and upon depletion of the thread 20 Wound on the bobbin, the spent bobbin will be discharged through conventional means from the shuttle upon introduction of the full bobbin from the magazine by means of a conventional replenishing system, not shown. Replenishing of a full bobbin usually occurs when the lay is situated at the front center and the shuttle is in the drive end box. In this replenishing position, a lilling end extractor attachment 21 will dip downwardly to pick-up a thread end 22 which has been severed by means of a standard thread cutting attachment (not shown) from the expended bobbin which thread end extends from the selvage 23 of the fabric 24 adjacent to the temple roll housing 2S to which housing a temple cutter 28 is atlixed in order to sever weft ends adjacent to the selvage.

The thread end 22 will reach from the selvage 23 to the bobbin 19 in the lay and box across and over the plush pad 27 which pad is usually located slightly below the shuttle path of travel between the shuttle box and the woven fabric. Directly in line with the pad 27 and to the right, in FIG. 1, is the weft or filling end extractor attachment 21.

The loom is also provided with a conventional thread cutter, not shown, which cutter upon presentation of a weft end during the replenishing operation will operate to sever the filling end that extends from the shuttle adjacent to the shuttle eye, all of which is conventional and does not constitute a part of this invention.

In the embodiment shown the filling end extractor 21 issupported on the stand 29 which stand has a level reset shoulder 36 and laterally spaced inwardly projecting lugs 31 through which lugs a supporting rod 32 is slidably retained with a limit collar 33 mounted thereon. A com- Vpression spring 34 encircles the supporting rod 52 forward of the lug 31 to resiliently urge the rod to the left in FlGS. 3 and 1.1.VV A lin or filling' guide 3S inthe lform of'a hat triangular plate is securely fastened as by welding or other suitable means to the bifurcated end 37 of the supporting rod 32. Itis intended that the lower'edgeSS of the filling guide 35 will be parallel to the plane of the plush pad 27 during the pick-up operation, Vas clearly illustrated in FlG. 3.

The compression spring 34 on the supporting rod 32 will urge thc suction nozzle outwardly so that the collar 33 'will shoulder against the left'lug 31. ln the event the shuttle 18 Vshould strike the nozzle, the lilli'ng end extractor will be deflected to ythe right or backwards as the spring is compressed sufciently to remove the nozzle out of the path of shuttle travel.

A nozzle 39 having a converging mouth 40 is securely fastened to the filling guide with the mouth 49 of the nozzle terminating slightly above the lower edge'SS of the guide 35. The terminal portion of the nozzle is provided with a tongue-like guide or thread presenter 41 which guide has a return bend 42 to introduce and guide loose weft thread ends into the mouth of the nozzle. Various types of nozzles have been utilized to 'accomplish the objective ofY this invention and per se do notconstitute a part of this invention.

A flexible hose connecter 43V is fastened to the upper end of the suction tube 44 for connection to a suction pump 45, schematically shown, which pump is adequate to generate a flow or current of air into the mouth of the nozzle thereby inducing a thread end to how into the nozzle mouth. An accumulator, not shown, for collecting lling ends may be installed in the suction line, at an appropriate location, within which accumulator the illing ends are deposited for subsequent removal. Frequently, the accumulator becomes full and unless emptied the flow of air therethrough may be impaired thus restricting the collection of loose ends which will remain in the lay for accidental displacement back intoV the selvage. This is commonly referred to as jerked-in filling.

The transferer arm stud 14 supporting the transferer arm 13 terminates at one end in the stand to retain a at friction spring 2S through the lock nut `46 which spring 25 maintains the filling end removal apparatus 21 in the normal running or up position. Transferer arm `13; is normally provided with a stud which extends laterally from the arm to engage with the stand 29 such as to be reset to shoulder 30 or other suitable location on the stand. Upon downward displacement of the transferer arm the stud will engage with the stand and move the stand from the normal raised position, as shown in FIG. 4, to the lowered position, as shown'in FIG. 3. Subsequently, near the completion of the backward stroke of the lay, following the transfer operation and the weft removal, the reset rod '47, throughV conventional means, will be elevated to engage with the reset shoulder 30 thereby raising the'stand to the inoperative position preparatory for another cycle.v

Cam 48 for adjusting the position of the nozzle and the filling guide relative to the plush pad 27 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft v49 and secured in position by the nut 50 which threadably engages the end of the shaft. The disclosure thus far has substantially disclosedwith the exception of the entrapment mechanism, the prior art as embodied in one type of loom such as the Crompton and Knowles S-6 loom.

The attachment constituting one embodiment of this invention is illustrated in combination with the suction Y nozzle 39 in FIGS. 3 and 4, particularly, wherein the extractor trap plunger mechanism 51 has a cylindrical housing 52 that is mounted by means of a plate 53 to which the housing is fastened as by welding or other suitable means, by bolts 54, to one side of the filling guide 35. The lower conically-shaped'portion 55 of the housing is positioned adjacent to the entrance or mouth of the nozzle and has an axial bore 56 therethrough which cornmunicates with an enlarged axial chamber 57 in the cylindrical housing 52...

A knurled closure cap SSthreadably engages the upper end of the housing 52 and has an axial bore 59 therethrough in alignment with the bore 5S and chamber 56. A plunger 6u extends axially through the plunger housing members and has retained thereon and within the housing chamber a compression spring 61 andraV limit collar 62 which collar will normally be in the lower or extendedcondition as when the plunger is ejected or protruded from the housing. In the normal protruded or inoperative position, the plunger end 63 will be projected outwardly from the lower portion of thelhousing in order to engage or make point Contact with the top surface of the presenter or thread-guide tongue el, as more clearly shown 1n FIGS. 4 and 6.

The other end 64 of the plunger rod 60 has an opening 65 therein to receive a fastening ring 65. A exrble connector' 67, such as a link chain or other suitable lanyard, is fastened to the ring 66 at one end of the conneetor and the other end of the connector is fastened to a stationary part of the loom frame designated schematically as 68. The linear length of the flexible connector 67 is determined primarily by the desired action of the plunger so that upon presentation of the nozzle and thread presenter to the plush pad during transfer, that is, when the nozzle is introduced to the plush pad in the suction pick-up stage, the plunger will be retracted sufficiently into the plunger housing to provide a gap 69 between the end of the plunger and the top surface ofthe presenter Athereby permitting and enabling the thread guide to pickup the weft thread on fthe upper. surface of the presenter with the aid or without the aid of suction from the pump. Obviously, the space or gap 6.9 provided between the end of the plunger andthe top of the presenter will be gow erned by the type of thread, the timing of the suction inte, and the type of thread guide employed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the end of the plunger is retracted from theY presenter and the connector does not have any slack as distinguished from FIG. 4 in which the plunger is projected to illustrate a thread end that is trapped on the presenter although this is normally the commencement of another cycle.

In normal operation the thread extractor will be introduced to the plush pad with the plunger 60 being retracted as in FIG. 3. The iilling guide lower edge 38 will provide adequate friction on the weft end to present it to the guide tongue wherein an induced current of air will cause the severed thread end to be introduced into the mouth of the nozzle for deposition in the nozzle and withdraw ythrough the hose 43 into anA accumulator. However, frequently either by failure of the suction, the thread weight, or faulty air, Athe thread end will be picked up by the presenter but will fall back down in the lay to be jerked-in the cloth on the next flight of the shuttle. By trapping the thread end, without clamping, 4on the pre- Senter, enables the suction to more effectively remove the -loose weft end positioned on the presenter. However, in the event the suction vfails to function properly, when the lay is displaced away from the extractor, the entrapped weft end will be left dangling from the presenter and, having been cut at both ends, it will fall by gravity to the rloor or out of the shuttle path.l The effectiveness of this entrapping auxiliary attachment is used to greater advantage without having the plunger close the entire mouth of the nozzle or restrict the flow of air into the mouth of the nozzle. Y

It has been found also that this attachment is capable of removing more than one end in those instances wherein more than one lling end is in the lay. Also, when the system completely fails, this attachment in combination with the presenter, functions as a fully mechanical unit discharging the weft ends out of the lay in close proximity thereof for subsequent removal.

Obviously, many modications and variations may be made in the construction and arrangement of the plunger, the nozzle and presenter, as well as the means for projecting the entrapment mechanism in the light of the above teachings without departing from the real spirit and purpose of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims many modied forms of structure as well as the use of mechanical equivalents may be reasonably included and modifications are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a weft replenishing loom having a backwardly and forwardly reciprocating lay provided with a shuttle box containing a shuttle from which a thread extends to the adjacent selvage, a pneumatic weft end extractor movable from an elevated to a pick-up position, said extractor having a nozzle and a guide tongue in spaced relation thereto, suction means to induce the iiow of air into said nozzle, a displaceable member supported for reciprocation in juxtaposition to said nozzle, said member being normally urged to contact the guide tongue to removably support an extracted thread thereon, and means to withdraw said member away from said guide tongue in the extractor pick-up position whereby said suction llow of air will remove an extracted thread supported on the guide tongue.

2. In a weft replenishing loom having a backwardly and forwardly reciprocating lay provided with a shuttle box containing a shuttle from which a thread extends to the adjacent selvage, a pneumatic weft end extractor having a nozzle, said extractor having a thread guide tongue extending at the terminal end of the nozzle, means to induce a suction into said nozzle, a plunger rod supported in juxtaposition to said nozzle, said rod being normally urged to contact the guide tongue to removably support a thread end thereon, and means to Withdraw said rod from said guide tongue to introduce a weft onto the tongue and into the nozzle.

3. In a weft replenishing loom having a backwardly and forwardly reciprocating lay provided with a shuttle box containing a shuttle from which a thread extends to the adjacent selvage, a pneumatic weft end extractor movable from an elevated to a weft pick-up position, said extractor having a nozzle, said extractor having a thread supporting means thereon projecting beyond and in spaced relationship to said nozzle, a plunger rod supported in juxtaposition to said nozzle, said rod being normally urged to contact the thread supporting'means to removably support a thread end thereon, and means to withdraw said rod from said thread supporting means inthe extractor weft pick-up position.

4. A weft extractor for weft replenishing looms having a lay provided with a shuttle box from which a thread extends to the adjacent selvage, said extractor comprising a member having an arcuate thread guide tongue thereon, and a reciprocable plunger mounted in juxtaposition to said member to cooperatively engage with the guide tongue to removably support a yarn on said guide tongue.

5. In a weft replenishing loom having a lay and shuttle box into which a thread extends from the cloth selvage, a pneumatic weft extractor nozzle, means to induce a liow of air into said nozzle, said nozzle having an arcuate thread pick-up tongue thereon, mechanical reciprocating means for engaging the tongue and removably supporting a thread engaged on the thread pick-up tongue.

6. In a weft replenishing loom having a lay and shuttle box into which a thread extends from the cloth selvage, a weft extractor member, said member having an arcuate thread pick-up tongue thereon, plunger means on said member for removably supporting said thread end when it is engaged on the tongue of said member to displace said thread end.

7. An attachment for a pneumatic thread extractor for weft replenishing looms, said extractor being movable from inoperative to operative positions and having a nozzle and an arcuate thread presenter projecting from the extractor in spaced xed relation to said nozzle, said attachment comprising a spring biased plunger means mounted in juxtaposition to said nozzle operable from an inoperative to an operative position to removably support a weft end on the presenter in the inoperative position.

8. In a weft replenishing loom having a lay and a shuttle box to which a thread extends from the cloth selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor having an arcuate protruding tongue and nozzle associated therewith, means to induce a current of air into said nozzle, and reciprocable plunger means for releasably supporting a thread end in the path of said induced air currents on said tongue leaving the nozzle substantially open.

9. In a weft replenishing loom having a lay and a shuttle box to which a thread extends from the cloth selvage, a pneumatic thread extractor having a nozzle, means to induce a current of air into said nozzle, and a reciprocable plunger means extending across and in spaced relation to said nozzle to removably support a thread on said extractor upon displacement of the extractor relative to the lay leaving the nozzle substantially open.

l0. VIn a weft replenishing loom having a lay and shuttle box into which a thread extends from the cloth selvage, a weftextractor member, said member havingv an arcuate thread pick-up tongue for supporting a thread thereon, said weft extractor member being movable from an elevated to a thread pick-up position, a plunger for normally communicating with the tongue in the extractor elevated position, and means for withdrawing the plunger from communication with the tongue at least in the extractor thread pick-up position.

11. In a weft thread replenishing loom having a lay with a shuttle box thereon con-taining a shuttle, and wherein a weft thread extends from said shuttle to the adjacent selvage, a substantially vertical tubular weft extracting device movable on weft replenishment from a normally inactive position to an active position, said tubular device terminating in a mouth at one end thereof with a portion of said tubular device extending beyond said mouth and serving to guide said extended thread into said mouth upon movement of said device to the active position, means to create suction at said mouth, spring loaded means extending substantially longitudinally of said tubular device and normally biased to engage said extended portion to trap said extended thread in said mouth, and means effective upon movement of said device to the active position to disengage said spring loaded means from said extended portion to permit entry of said extended thread into said mouth.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSA 

